David Hnatiuk will be coaching a motivated Grand Forks Border Bruins squad this Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season. Two early playoff exits have created that drive. In their Quick Shift team preview, Hnatiuk talks about a roster with more depth, which includes returnee Jace Koole, who “packs his lunch box and work boots every day.”
KIJHL: What should fans be excited about when it comes to this team?
DH: We have a lot of returning players and added some really exciting recruits. That combination has looked good early, with a fast and skilled roster that should be pretty offensive. We have a really solid defence core.
KIJHL: What areas are you looking to improve from last season?
DH: Last year in the playoffs, we lacked the depth needed to keep going. With the new recruits we brought in with the returnees give us depth. I think we have the ability to score over four goals a game.
Reducing the goals against is a big one for me. The amount of shots that we are giving up, it’s making sure that we are still defensively responsible. We are going to be solid on our back end and I would argue any day that Russell Kosec could be the Top Defenceman in the league. We definitely have the defence back there, it’s just when you have a bunch of horses who can run, it’s pretty fun to watch them play.
KIJHL: You added goalie Alex Jessey, and forward Nash Wassing in trades. What do you like about each that they will bring?
DH: Wassing (Okotoks Oilers U18AAA) He has size at 6-4, 200 pounds as a centerman, which is nice to have. He has the ability to add that offensive threat and is going to fit right in with our experienced veterans and has skilled wingers to play with.
Jessy (2-9-0, .888 save rate last season with Golden) He had a solid first period in net for us (saving all 18 shots faced in the first period and finished with 40 saves on 44 shots). With Matthew Dovichak and Russell Newman, it creates internal competition. You have to be good every game.
KIJHL: Are there any returning players that you are expecting to have big seasons? Talk about what you are hoping to see from them.
DH: Levi Astill – He is going to take off again this year. He is having a great pre-season and is off to the start we expected. He is going to carry on that same level and is hungry. My veteran guys are hungry. (Note: Astill led the Border Bruins with 49 points in 40 games and played in the BCHC Top Prospects Game.)
Nate Tillmanns showed flashes of the dominant player he can be on Wednesday, in a 5-4 OT win over Osoyoos.
Tyler Burke is going to put up big numbers this year. He is off to a great start. (Note: Burke collected 30 points in 23 games with the Border Bruins after coming in a trade from Sicamous. He has 120 career points in 129 career regular season games, including 79 assists.)
Koole likely won’t get a lot of hype because we have some highly skilled guys in front of him, but he is going to be a spark plug for us and have a solid season. (Note: Koole had 25 points in 42 games as a rookie. Four of his 11 goals were game-winners.)
We’re hungry, there is no question. I never want to say this is our year, but this is the best team we’ve put on paper and the ice since I’ve been in Grand Forks (2021-22).
KIJHL: Are there first-year players who are able to make a seamless transition to allow them to have an immediate impact?
DH: I’m going to give you two names you will hear a lot – Justin Mol and Brandon Gray.
Mol – (2006 – Calgary Royals) He’s a highly skilled playmaker with a strong hockey IQ and a knack for the net. He’s fearless and has a quick release with a good shot. The kid loves to score goals and get points. He is fitting in well with Brandon Gray and Levi Astill.
Gray (2006 – Okotoks Oilers U18AA – led league with 63 points in 32 games) He is highly skilled and will get better every day. His potential is extremely high.
I expect Mol and Gray to be pushing as rookie scoring leaders.
KIJHL: When it comes to your leadership group, what are the important characteristics that you want each player to possess?
DH: Carter Price will be our captain as he has the maturity to run a room and lead by example. His commitment to the program, himself and the community is where it needs to be. He is a Saskatchewan farm boy, hard-worker with solid character.
